This year’s entering college class of 2016 was born into cyberspace and they have therefore measured their output in the fundamental particles of life: bits, bytes, and bauds. They have come to political consciousness during a time of increasing doubts about America’s future, and are entering college bombarded by questions about jobs and the value of a college degree. They have never needed an actual airline “ticket,” a set of bound encyclopedias, or Romper Room. Members of this year’s freshman class, most of them born in 1994, are probably the most tribal generation in history and they despise being separated from contact with friends. They prefer to watch television everywhere except on a television, have seen a woman lead the U.S. State Department for most of their lives, and can carry school books--those that are not on their e-Readers--in backpacks that roll.

The 2016 Mindset List from Beloit College is here. Some of my favorites:

They have always lived in cyberspace, addicted to a new generation of “electronic narcotics.”

If they miss The Daily Show, they can always get their news on YouTube.

On TV and in films, the ditzy dumb blonde female generally has been replaced by a couple of Dumb and Dumber males.

A significant percentage of them will enter college already displaying some hearing loss.

Along with online viewbooks, parents have always been able to check the crime stats for the colleges their kids have selected.

A bit of the late Gene Roddenberry, creator of Star Trek, has always existed in space.

While the iconic TV series for their older siblings was the sci-fi show Lost, for them it’s Breaking Bad, a gritty crime story motivated by desperate economic circumstances.

Mr. Burns has replaced J.R.Ewing as the most shot-at man on American television.

Despite being preferred urban gathering places, two-thirds of the independent bookstores in the United States have closed for good during their lifetimes.*

An article in this month's Scientific American reports that IQs have risen by a consistent 0.3 points every year. It's nice to look forward to the day when I'll be considered a dimwit by future generations...

An article in this month's Scientific American reports that IQs have risen by a consistent 0.3 points every year. It's nice to look forward to the day when I'll be considered a dimwit by future generations...